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Sip Cafe

Zero Post Office Sq
Boston, MA 02109
Neighborhood: Financial District

Review originally published on Yelp.

Some coffee shops thrive off the location, and Sip Cafe is one of those shops. Located right in downtown Boston’s Post Office Square, an adorable park compliments the experience of enjoying a coffee. This shop thrives in the warm season, but thanks to a loyal customer base, they do just fine all year round.

I bought a small (8 oz.) coffee on my first visit. Sometimes a small is 8 oz, I get it, especially when the coffee is quality, which it was. They offer a drip coffee as well as a Daterra Southern Italian espresso, which is pretty, pretty nice. Of course, they have teas and other beverages too, as well as a great selection of tasty edibles if you’re hungry.

Go in, get something nice, and take it outside. Sit in the park and watch the city move and breathe around you. I do that on every occasion, as the indoor scene is hard to adjust to.

Big Bear Cafe

1700 1st St NW
(between N Florida Ave & N R St)
Washington, DC 20001

Review originally published on Yelp.

As a tourist to DC, I relied on my friend to show me around, and while there, I made him aware of my fascination with coffee. He said to me, “before you leave here, I’ll take you to a great coffee shop.”

Big Bear Cafe is that shop, and I have to agree with him on that. Every bit of the experience prior to ordering reminded me of other truly organic independent cafes across the country. The place feels warm and old fashioned. The casual, intellectual vibe existed both inside and outside, where we ended up enjoying our cups of direct trade brew. They know how to prepare a good cup of coffee, and they do it with a smile.

The coffee was great – strong, well balanced, a perfect pick-me-up after a morning at the farmer’s market. They get their beans from Counter Culture Coffee, a well-known distributor in the area that prides itself on all things coffee. I take that as a promising sign, and the staff at Big Bear agree.

I felt like a regular sitting outside, drinking and chatting with my friend the day before I took off to continue my cross-country trip. I took a button from them that had they’re adorable “Big Bear” logo on it, a memory distilled, even after several future experiences of coffee consumption.

Next time I visit DC, I plan to revisit this place.

Stell Coffee & Tea Company

1580 Barton Rd
Redlands, CA 92373

Review originally published on Yelp.

This place is what independent coffee shops are all about. They roast locally, and distribute locally. And while I only got a cup of the usual on my brief visit to Redlands, I could taste the quality – strong, aromatic, and full of body. It’s a simple operation they have over there, and they’ve perfected the process.

They roast their beans inside the shop, and it gives the place a hearty coffee smell. It’s an adorably small and welcoming atmosphere, half inside and half outside. Their staff is very friendly. Their edibles are pretty appetizing, especially the chocolate chip cookies and panini sandwiches. They put time and effort into their product, and that’s enough for me to buy a bag before continuing on my cross-country trip.

Tryst Coffee House Bar & Lounge

2459 18th St NW
(between N Belmont Rd & N Columbia Rd)
Washington, DC 20009

Review originally published on Yelp.

Tryst is one of those coffee shops that feels like home to locals, and hell to tourists. I was a tourist, but I actually really enjoyed the atmosphere. Granted, there’s no pleasure in hunting for a seat at peak hours, but the payoff is in the traditional cafe experience.

Small tables with chairs, couches and coffee tables, places by the fireplace (do they work?) where you can read a book, write a book, or talk with others. I was there to write a book, and enjoy a coffee. Waitstaff bring your orders straight to you, lest you lose your seat, and they don’t mind you camping for hours. Just be sure to tip them.

Their coffee is great, and that’s with options. You can have a house drip or their french-press, whatever your pleasure, and I like that. And, if you want to get drunk, then good news! It’s a bar as well.

Their food menu is really… bohemian. They didn’t serve eggs, which is less than ordinary, but they have black forest ham, and honey, and tasty bagels, among a wide variety of healthy items. I made my own sandwich, and the waiter actually took it down as a possible item to add to their menu. No matter, be prepared to try something different. Their baked goods looked good.

I was well-cared for, and definitely would make that a regular hangout if I lived in DC. My fondest memory of that experience was when I reached the end of my stay. A trio was hovering around me, sensing my departure. One of them was wearing a legitimate sports racing jacket, and when I started to collect my things, he jumped on it like a tiger on it’s prey. Expect that when no other seats are available.

Kinley’s House Coffee & Tea

2231 N Mesa St
El Paso, TX 79902

Review originally published on Yelp.

Independent coffee shops in El Paso are hard to find. I found myself really searching the local scene for this one, and I was satisfied with the results. Oddly enough, it’s right across the street from a Starbucks, and yet it survives the fierce competition.

Kinley’s House has established itself in the UTEP area for having great coffee, tea, and food. Much like any proper coffee house, their place is open and inviting. They have an outdoor seating area as well, which is great. They have an extensive variety of teas and espresso drinks that are worth trying, but not by me (this time). I got a cup of their fair trade organic roast and relished in the experience by the windows facing North Mesa Street.

The coffee was quality: smooth, bold, and aromatic. I sat there for close to an hour, watching the customers come and go, listening to them talk and ultimately drive back into the sprawling panoramic of El Paso. I left feeling satisfied; I would go there again on my next visit.

Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea

53 W Jackson Blvd
(between Wabash Ave & Michigan Ave)
Chicago, IL 60604

Review originally published on Yelp.

Coffee lovers can’t tour the country, stop in Chicago, and leave without visiting Intelligentsia. This place is, without a doubt, a premier destination for coffee in Chicago. Known for their diverse variety of robust offerings, Intelligentsia is a luxury brand that few can stack up to.

It’s not surprising that their coffee house in Chicago looks like a modern art gallery. The ambiance is cool and well-distributed with photography and fine art. People sit and conduct work like any other coffee house, but something seems different, more refined. I almost feel unworthy to be there.

A slew of coffee drinks are available, and while espresso seems like caviar, I decided to try a slow-pour cup of coffee, a large (for once), and watched the barista grind the beans and prepare the slow pour with steaming hot water, all the while chatting with me about their beans and technique and the history of the shop. They have it down to a science, and it shows in their product.

Anyone who loves coffee will do good to visit an Intelligentsia coffee house in their lifetime. Experiences like this are not common, and while they do distribute nationally, you simply can’t get the same feeling without visiting the source.

Bloc 11 Cafe

11 Bow St
Somerville, MA 02143

Review originally published on Yelp.

Bloc 11 is a great coffee house in the heart of Union Square. They have an eclectic menu of sandwiches and salads. Try a scone if they’re available. They care about their coffee, and where it comes from. They get imports from Intelligentsia and Stumptown, two very serious coffee makers, and rotate their offerings daily.

Their drinks vary in complexity. I stick to simple cups of coffee, but they have a variety of espresso drinks to choose from. Try their Vietnamese coffee, a blend of sweet and smooth. Try their edibles. I’ve had some of their sandwiches, and a lot of people are on the fence about it. Not many places make a “spicy curry tofu salad sandwich” with apple slices and avocado.

Tell you what, go there and try their egg sandwich with prosciutto and cheese on rosemary foccacia bread, and then tell me what you think! It’s my favorite.

Their walls are usually decorated with cool, local artwork. The music is mild and doesn’t distract the scores of locals who hangout with books and pads and work to be done. It’s a great place to talk, and you can have privacy in the back if necessary. In the evening, they host a variety of live music events. What else could you ask for?

Cafe Rose Nicaud

632 Frenchmen St
New Orleans, LA 70116

Review originally published on Yelp.

Logo Credit: Pat McDonald Fowler

On a last-hour sweep of the French Quarter before leaving New Orleans, I decided to walk down Frenchman Street to take some pictures and find a coffee house. I found this place by accident, and decided to give it a try. It was one of the best decision I made while out there.

It was warm inside and relaxed, with folk and indie-rock music playing lightly over the sounds of cups clanking and people talking. The lovable staff knew their regulars. I got a cup of coffee, a slice of pecan pie, and a smile from the pretty girl working behind the counter.

The pie was excellent. The coffee went well with it, too. It was like desert after breakfast. I would have stayed their longer, but I had a train to catch for El Paso later that day, and I only had so much time to see the area.

Rao’s Coffee

17 Kellogg Ave
Amherst, MA 01002

Review originally published on Yelp.

I don’t know about many other independent coffee houses in Amherst, and as far as I’m concerned, I don’t need to know. I’ve known about Rao’s ever since I was a kid, and when I became old enough to appreciate it, I went there as often as I could. They have changed so much since the beginning, when their shop was smaller, and they didn’t have a private roasting house in Hadley.

They roast their own beans, and distribute them regionally, which is so nice, but the experience is home in Amherst center. They have a rustic decor inside their shop that smells like good coffee, and the buzz of machinery behind the counter blends perfectly with the buzz of customers’ eclectic conversation. Their espresso drinks are great. When I was in my “cafe mocha” phase, I would only buy them there.

You’re buying quality for a little extra per cup compared to mainstream shops, but believe me it’s worth it. You’re getting a one-of-a-kind product and experience here. Don’t feel intimidated by the liberal crowd that hangs out in there. You’re there for good coffee, or else you’d go somewhere else.

Hang out outside when the weather is warm, and feel like a part of the town.

CC’s Community Coffee House

941 Royal St
New Orleans, LA

Review originally published on Yelp.

CC’s is perhaps one of the best coffee houses located in the French quarter of New Orleans. Their coffee is well-known in the area, and they distribute locally to a lot of businesses that swear by it. I had to visit their home and try a cup while on my cross-country tour.

The shop is set up like a cafe with areas to sit and talk with friends. They offer a few blends on tap that are far from ordinary. They have a passion for bold roasts. I got an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe that had a complex taste and body to it. They also have free refills, which was a big plus.

They have a variety of beans you can take with you, flavored and premium. Someone suggested the “Roasted Pecan Praline” blend, which smelled great from the bag. If only I had the room to pack it, I would have bought it. If I ever visit New Orleans again, I will make a point to go there and get a bag.

Boston Common Coffee Company

515 Washington St
(between Avenue De Lafayette & Chickerling Pl)
Boston, MA 02111

Review originally published on Yelp.

This shop was my morning destination for great coffee for nearly three years. Every morning I went to work, I would stop there to get a small cup of coffee, and possibly a scone or a honey wheat bagel with butter on it. They knew me like any loyal customer. I had almost every blend they offered, and for better or worse, I discovered what good coffee is all about, all thanks to this place.

This is not your ordinary cafe. This is a fair-trade, small business success story. It’s a coffee house with room to relax; great for people to sit down and talk. They have great background music that changes with the moods of the staff, who are great, knowledgeable, and certainly willing to offer suggestions if you can’t figure out what you want. I don’t recommend getting in line without an idea, however, or you’re likely to vex the others waiting patiently.

Their Guatemala Antigua and Breakfast Blend offerings are at the top of my list. Their muffin-tops and scones are great in the morning, and their panini sandwiches are also something to write about. My favorite one is the “Big Tony,” a sliced meatball marinara creation that hits several different spots at once.

I recommend this to every single Bostonian in the metro area. Break away from the Dunkin doldrums and try a truly unique drip.

Abraço

86 E 7th St
(between 1st Ave & 2nd Ave)
New York, NY 10003

Review originally published on Yelp

One of best coffee shops in the lower east side. Hands down, this place is a gem, a diamond in the rough. Anyone looking for unique espresso and coffee offerings would do well to visit this place.

Their drips are quality. They take the time to make it good. Their edibles are rich with flavor. The olive oil cake is awesome! Try the lemon rose cake as well.

The experience is unique because its literally as big as a closet, just enough room to order and warm up before enjoying yourself outside. They have a spot outside to hang out during warmer weather, but the honest situation is a brief, in-and-out, no frills and no bull coffee stop. The best places are hard to find.

This one is worth searching out.